Occipital Neuralgia

Occipital neuralgia is a distinct type of headache characterized by piercing, throbbing, or electric-shock-like pain in the upper neck, back of the head, and behind the ears. The pain is caused by irritation or injury to the occipital nerves, which run from the top of the spinal cord up through the scalp. The condition can be caused by trauma to the back of the head, neck tension, cervical disc disease, arthritis of the upper cervical spine, or compression of the occipital nerves by tight muscles. It is often confused with migraines or other types of headaches. At Spinal Interventions, we accurately diagnose occipital neuralgia through physical examination and diagnostic nerve blocks, then provide effective treatment through occipital nerve blocks, radiofrequency ablation, and medication management to reduce the frequency and severity of pain episodes.